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Third-generation photovoltaic cell

December 23, 2023

Third-generation photovoltaic cells are solar cells that are potentially able to overcome the Shockley–Queisser limit of 31–41% power efficiency for single bandgap solar cells. This includes a range of alternatives to cells made of semiconducting p-n junctions ("first generation") and thin film cells ("second generation"). Common third-generation systems include multi-layer ("tandem") cells made of amorphous silicon or gallium arsenide, while more theoretical developments include frequency conversion, (i.e. changing the frequencies of light that the cell cannot use to light frequencies that the cell can use - thus producing more power), hot-carrier effects and other multiple-carrier ejection techniques.[1][2][3][4][5]

Emerging photovoltaics include:

The achievements in the research of perovskite cells, especially, have received tremendous attention in the public as their research efficiencies recently soared above 20 percent. They also offer a wide spectrum of low-cost applications.[6][7][8] In addition, another emerging technology, concentrator photovoltaics (CPV), uses high-efficient, multi-junction solar cells in combination with optical lenses and a tracking system.

Technologies edit

Solar cells can be thought of as visible light counterparts to radio receivers. A receiver consists of three basic parts; an antenna that converts the radio waves (light) into wave-like motions of electrons in the antenna material, an electronic valve that traps the electrons as they pop off the end of the antenna, and a tuner that amplifies electrons of a selected frequency. It is possible to build a solar cell identical to a radio, a system known as an optical rectenna, but to date these have not been practical.

The majority of the solar electric market is made up of silicon-based devices. In silicon cells, the silicon acts as both the antenna (or electron donor, technically) as well as the electron valve. Silicon is widely available, relatively inexpensive and has a bandgap that is ideal for solar collection. On the downside it is energetically and economically expensive to produce silicon in bulk, and great efforts have been made to reduce the amount required. Moreover, it is mechanically fragile, which typically requires a sheet of strong glass to be used as mechanical support and protection from the elements. The glass alone is a significant portion of the cost of a typical solar module.

According to the Shockley–Queisser limit, the majority of a cell's theoretical efficiency is due to the difference in energy between the bandgap and solar photon. Any photon with more energy than the bandgap can cause photoexcitation, but any energy above the bandgap energy is lost. Consider the solar spectrum; only a small portion of the light reaching the ground is blue, but those photons have three times the energy of red light. Silicon's bandgap is 1.1 eV, about that of red light, so in this case blue light's energy is lost in a silicon cell. If the bandgap is tuned higher, say to blue, that energy is now captured, but only at the cost of rejecting lower energy photons.

It is possible to greatly improve on a single-junction cell by stacking thin layers of material with varying bandgaps on top of each other – the "tandem cell" or "multi-junction" approach. Traditional silicon preparation methods do not lend themselves to this approach. Thin-films of amorphous silicon have been employed instead, notably Uni-Solar's products, but other issues have prevented these from matching the performance of traditional cells. Most tandem-cell structures are based on higher performance semiconductors, notably gallium arsenide (GaAs). Three-layer GaAs cells achieved 41.6% efficiency for experimental examples.[9] In September 2013, a four layer cell reached 44.7 percent efficiency.[10]

Numerical analysis shows that the "perfect" single-layer solar cell should have a bandgap of 1.13 eV, almost exactly that of silicon. Such a cell can have a maximum theoretical power conversion efficiency of 33.7% – the solar power below red (in the infrared) is lost, and the extra energy of the higher colors is also lost. For a two layer cell, one layer should be tuned to 1.64 eV and the other at 0.94 eV, with a theoretical performance of 44%. A three-layer cell should be tuned to 1.83, 1.16 and 0.71 eV, with an efficiency of 48%. A theoretical "infinity-layer" cell would have a theoretical efficiency of 68.2% for diffuse light.[11]

While the new solar technologies that have been discovered center around nanotechnology, there are several different material methods currently used.

The third generation label encompasses multiple technologies, though it includes non-semiconductor technologies (including polymers and biomimetics), quantum dot, tandem/multi-junction cells, intermediate band solar cell,[12][13] hot-carrier cells, photon upconversion and downconversion technologies, and solar thermal technologies, such as thermophotonics, which is one technology identified by Green as being third generation.[14]

It also includes:[15]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Shockley, W.; Queisser, H. J. (1961). "Detailed Balance Limit of Efficiency of p-n Junction Solar Cells". Journal of Applied Physics. 32 (3): 510. Bibcode:1961JAP....32..510S. doi:10.1063/1.1736034.
  2. ^ Luque, Antonio; López Araujo, Gerardo (1990). Physical Limitations to Photovoltaic Energy Conversion. Bristol: Adam Hilger. ISBN 0-7503-0030-2.
  3. ^ Green, M. A. (2001). "Third generation photovoltaics: Ultra-high conversion efficiency at low cost". Progress in Photovoltaics: Research and Applications. 9 (2): 123–135. doi:10.1002/pip.360.
  4. ^ Martí, A.; Luque, A. (1 September 2003). Next Generation Photovoltaics: High Efficiency through Full Spectrum Utilization. CRC Press. ISBN 978-1-4200-3386-1.
  5. ^ Conibeer, G. (2007). "Third-generation photovoltaics". Materials Today. 10 (11): 42–50. doi:10.1016/S1369-7021(07)70278-X.
  6. ^ "A new stable and cost-cutting type of perovskite solar cell". PHYS.org. 17 July 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  7. ^ "Spray-deposition steers perovskite solar cells towards commercialisation". ChemistryWorld. 29 July 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  8. ^ "Perovskite Solar Cells". Ossila. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  9. ^ David Biello, "New solar-cell efficiency record set", Scientific American, 27 August 2009
  10. ^ "Solar cell hits new world record with 44.7 percent efficiency". Retrieved 26 September 2013.
  11. ^ Green, Martin (2006). Third generation photovoltaics. New York: Springer. p. 66.
  12. ^ Luque, Antonio; Martí, Antonio (1997). "Increasing the Efficiency of Ideal Solar Cells by Photon Induced Transitions at Intermediate Levels". Physical Review Letters. 78 (26): 5014–5017. doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.78.5014.
  13. ^ Weiming Wang; Albert S. Lin; Jamie D. Phillips (2009). "Intermediate band photovoltaic solar cell based on ZnTe:O". Appl. Phys. Lett. 95 (1): 011103. Bibcode:2009ApPhL..95a1103W. doi:10.1063/1.3166863.
  14. ^ Green, Martin (2003). Third Generation Photovoltaics: Advanced Solar Energy Conversion. Springer Science+Business Media. ISBN 978-3-540-40137-7.
  15. ^ UNSW School for Photovoltaic Engineering. "Third Generation Photovoltaics". Retrieved 20 June 2008.
  16. ^ Sol3g secures Triple Junction Solar Cells from Azur Space

External links edit

  • Research in Virginia Tech
  • Solar Shootout in the San Joaquin Valley
  • Silicon vs. CIGS: With solar energy, the issue is material
  • Start-up targets thin-film silicon solar cells
  • Spray-On Solar-Power Cells Are True Breakthrough
  • Solar Cells: The New Light Fantastic
  • Honda to Mass Produce Next-Generation Thin Film Solar Cell
  • Glossary

December 23, 2023
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Third generation photovoltaic cells are solar cells that are potentially able to overcome the Shockley Queisser limit of 31 41 power efficiency for single bandgap solar cells This includes a range of alternatives to cells made of semiconducting p n junctions first generation and thin film cells second generation Common third generation systems include multi layer tandem cells made of amorphous silicon or gallium arsenide while more theoretical developments include frequency conversion i e changing the frequencies of light that the cell cannot use to light frequencies that the cell can use thus producing more power hot carrier effects and other multiple carrier ejection techniques 1 2 3 4 5 Emerging photovoltaics include Copper zinc tin sulfide solar cell CZTS and derivates CZTSe and CZTSSe Dye sensitized solar cell also known as Gratzel cell Organic solar cell Perovskite solar cell Quantum dot solar cellThe achievements in the research of perovskite cells especially have received tremendous attention in the public as their research efficiencies recently soared above 20 percent They also offer a wide spectrum of low cost applications 6 7 8 In addition another emerging technology concentrator photovoltaics CPV uses high efficient multi junction solar cells in combination with optical lenses and a tracking system Contents 1 Technologies 2 See also 3 References 4 External linksTechnologies editThis article includes a list of general references but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations June 2014 Learn how and when to remove this template message Solar cells can be thought of as visible light counterparts to radio receivers A receiver consists of three basic parts an antenna that converts the radio waves light into wave like motions of electrons in the antenna material an electronic valve that traps the electrons as they pop off the end of the antenna and a tuner that amplifies electrons of a selected frequency It is possible to build a solar cell identical to a radio a system known as an optical rectenna but to date these have not been practical The majority of the solar electric market is made up of silicon based devices In silicon cells the silicon acts as both the antenna or electron donor technically as well as the electron valve Silicon is widely available relatively inexpensive and has a bandgap that is ideal for solar collection On the downside it is energetically and economically expensive to produce silicon in bulk and great efforts have been made to reduce the amount required Moreover it is mechanically fragile which typically requires a sheet of strong glass to be used as mechanical support and protection from the elements The glass alone is a significant portion of the cost of a typical solar module According to the Shockley Queisser limit the majority of a cell s theoretical efficiency is due to the difference in energy between the bandgap and solar photon Any photon with more energy than the bandgap can cause photoexcitation but any energy above the bandgap energy is lost Consider the solar spectrum only a small portion of the light reaching the ground is blue but those photons have three times the energy of red light Silicon s bandgap is 1 1 eV about that of red light so in this case blue light s energy is lost in a silicon cell If the bandgap is tuned higher say to blue that energy is now captured but only at the cost of rejecting lower energy photons It is possible to greatly improve on a single junction cell by stacking thin layers of material with varying bandgaps on top of each other the tandem cell or multi junction approach Traditional silicon preparation methods do not lend themselves to this approach Thin films of amorphous silicon have been employed instead notably Uni Solar s products but other issues have prevented these from matching the performance of traditional cells Most tandem cell structures are based on higher performance semiconductors notably gallium arsenide GaAs Three layer GaAs cells achieved 41 6 efficiency for experimental examples 9 In September 2013 a four layer cell reached 44 7 percent efficiency 10 Numerical analysis shows that the perfect single layer solar cell should have a bandgap of 1 13 eV almost exactly that of silicon Such a cell can have a maximum theoretical power conversion efficiency of 33 7 the solar power below red in the infrared is lost and the extra energy of the higher colors is also lost For a two layer cell one layer should be tuned to 1 64 eV and the other at 0 94 eV with a theoretical performance of 44 A three layer cell should be tuned to 1 83 1 16 and 0 71 eV with an efficiency of 48 A theoretical infinity layer cell would have a theoretical efficiency of 68 2 for diffuse light 11 While the new solar technologies that have been discovered center around nanotechnology there are several different material methods currently used The third generation label encompasses multiple technologies though it includes non semiconductor technologies including polymers and biomimetics quantum dot tandem multi junction cells intermediate band solar cell 12 13 hot carrier cells photon upconversion and downconversion technologies and solar thermal technologies such as thermophotonics which is one technology identified by Green as being third generation 14 It also includes 15 Silicon nanostructures Modifying incident spectrum concentrator photovoltaics to reach 300 500 suns and efficiencies of 32 already attained in Sol3g cells 16 to 50 Use of excess thermal generation caused by UV light to enhance voltages or carrier collection Use of infrared spectrum to produce electricity at night See also edit nbsp Renewable energy portal nbsp Energy portalBand gap Nanoantenna Organic electronics Printed electronicsReferences edit Shockley W Queisser H J 1961 Detailed Balance Limit of Efficiency of p n Junction Solar Cells Journal of Applied Physics 32 3 510 Bibcode 1961JAP 32 510S doi 10 1063 1 1736034 Luque Antonio Lopez Araujo Gerardo 1990 Physical Limitations to Photovoltaic Energy Conversion Bristol Adam Hilger ISBN 0 7503 0030 2 Green M A 2001 Third generation photovoltaics Ultra high conversion efficiency at low cost Progress in Photovoltaics Research and Applications 9 2 123 135 doi 10 1002 pip 360 Marti A Luque A 1 September 2003 Next Generation Photovoltaics High Efficiency through Full Spectrum Utilization CRC Press ISBN 978 1 4200 3386 1 Conibeer G 2007 Third generation photovoltaics Materials Today 10 11 42 50 doi 10 1016 S1369 7021 07 70278 X A new stable and cost cutting type of perovskite solar cell PHYS org 17 July 2014 Retrieved 4 August 2015 Spray deposition steers perovskite solar cells towards commercialisation ChemistryWorld 29 July 2014 Retrieved 4 August 2015 Perovskite Solar Cells Ossila Retrieved 4 August 2015 David Biello New solar cell efficiency record set Scientific American 27 August 2009 Solar cell hits new world record with 44 7 percent efficiency Retrieved 26 September 2013 Green Martin 2006 Third generation photovoltaics New York Springer p 66 Luque Antonio Marti Antonio 1997 Increasing the Efficiency of Ideal Solar Cells by Photon Induced Transitions at Intermediate Levels Physical Review Letters 78 26 5014 5017 doi 10 1103 PhysRevLett 78 5014 Weiming Wang Albert S Lin Jamie D Phillips 2009 Intermediate band photovoltaic solar cell based on ZnTe O Appl Phys Lett 95 1 011103 Bibcode 2009ApPhL 95a1103W doi 10 1063 1 3166863 Green Martin 2003 Third Generation Photovoltaics Advanced Solar Energy Conversion Springer Science Business Media ISBN 978 3 540 40137 7 UNSW School for Photovoltaic Engineering Third Generation Photovoltaics Retrieved 20 June 2008 Sol3g secures Triple Junction Solar Cells from Azur SpaceExternal links editDifferent generations of solar cells Research in Virginia Tech Solar Shootout in the San Joaquin Valley Silicon vs CIGS With solar energy the issue is material Start up targets thin film silicon solar cells Spray On Solar Power Cells Are True Breakthrough Solar Cells The New Light Fantastic Honda to Mass Produce Next Generation Thin Film Solar Cell Glossary Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Third generation photovoltaic cell amp oldid 1019882455, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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